CLEVELAND _ Melania Trump cast her husband Monday night as a champion of diverse racial and religious backgrounds, pushing back at critics who portray the Republican presidential hopeful as a divisive bigot.
"Donald intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people," the would-be first lady said in a nationally televised speech at the Republican National Convention. "That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims. It includes Hispanics and African-Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle class."
Melania Trump, 46, offered the first in a series of family testimonials designed to soften the New York business tycoon's image before he accepts the GOP nomination on Thursday night.
Her tribute came as many Democrats argue that Trump is racist, citing, among other things, his argument that no Latino or Muslim judge could be impartial in a fraud suit against Trump University, his defunct real estate school.
Melania Trump is the candidate's third wife. A Slovenian immigrant and former fashion model, she now sells lines of jewelry and skin care products. Her husband introduced her to the packed arena of GOP delegates and the national TV audience after he emerged on stage, back-lit like a rock star, to the tune of Queen's "We Are the Champions" anthem.
Speaking with a distinct accent, Melania Trump recalled growing up in communist Eastern Europe with a mother, Amalia, who introduced her to "fashion and beauty," and a father, Viktor, who inspired her "passion for business and travel."
In her biggest applause line, she said it was "the greatest privilege on planet Earth" for her to become an American citizen 10 years ago.
Trump described her husband as a loving father and patriot with a "never give-up attitude."
"The race will be hard-fought, all the way to November," she said. "There will be good times and hard times and unexpected turns _ it would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama."
